title: Psychological predictors of problematic involvement in massively multiplayer online role-playing games: illustration in a sample of male cybercafé players.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) are video games in which a large number of players interact with one another in a persistent virtual world. MMORPGs can become problematic and result in negative outcomes in daily living (e.g. loss of control on gaming behaviors, compromised social and individual quality of life). The aim of the present study is to investigate psychological predictors of problematic involvement in MMORPGs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four males who played MMORPGs regularly were recruited in cybercafés and screened using the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale (which assesses 4 facets of impulsivity) and the Motivation to Play Online Questionnaire (which assesses personal motives to play online). Negative consequences due to excessive time spent on the Internet were assessed with the Internet Addiction Test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multiple regression analysis showed that problematic use of MMORPGs is significantly predicted by: (1) high urgency (b = 0.45), and (2) a motivation to play for immersion (b = 0.35).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that, for certain individuals (who are characterized by a proneness to act rashly in emotional contexts and motivated to play to be immersed in a virtual world), involvement in MMORPGs can become problematic and engender tangible negative consequences in daily life.
authors.affiliation: Cognitive Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Unit, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. Joel.Billieux@unige.ch
authors.forename: Joël
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Billieux
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chanal
authors.forename: Yasser
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Khazaal
authors.forename: Lucien
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rochat
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gay
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zullino
authors.forename: Martial
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van der Linden
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018910:Video Games / Q000523:psychology*